My favorite actresses of all time

Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.
Acting is the art of performing and portraying a character. It is a temporary job that allows real people to become someone they are not. Acting tells a story of not only the character they portray, but the characters who support the story. Without acting, a story could never be told. Memorizing lines are one thing; however, it is the ability to transform into someone else and make us, the audience believe you are the character that truly shines.  

Recently, I create a list of my 'favorite actors of all time' which you can read here. Truth be told, I haven't been watching movies like I use to, but making this list has made me realize how much I miss watching them. Speaking of list, today, I am creating a list of my favorite actresses. So, who do I think are the best actresses of time? My favorite actresses are: 

Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction - Not only did Close perform the role of Alex Forrest amazingly, she made you believe Forrest was real. When it comes to playing an obsessed, stalker Close proves in this movie alone why she is one of greatest actresses around. She was also excellent in Albert Nobbs.

Cher in Mask - Let's face it, Cher is iconic. Not only is she one of the pioneers of popular music, but she can also act too. In fact, she can act very well. And when it comes to the role of Rusty (Florence) Dennis, she put so much soul in the role I felt lost in the story.

Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry - When it comes to portraying Brandon Teena, a female-to-male transgender, Swank delivered the performance of her lifetime. Incredible is an understatement. As good as the movie was, I don't think anyone could have done this role as good as her. 

Katherine Hepburn in Morning Glory - Wow, I remember being about 5-6 years old and sitting on my grandmother's couch, watching this movie and thinking about how incredible of an actress Hepburn was. Today, I am in my 30's and I think she is literally one of the best ever. 

Angelina Jolie in Gia - I never thought in a million years Jolie would ever play supermodel pioneer Gia Carangi, but after watching this movie I realize why Jolie is one of the best actresses to exist. Not only did she tell Carangi's story, she became Gia. 

Toni Collette in Japanese Story - When it comes to portraying Sandy Edwards, Collette truly did a phenomenal job. The acting is so believable in this movie, I literally had tears running down my face the very first time I saw it. 

Nargis Dutt in Raat Aur Din - If you love Bollywood films or are familiar with them, I am 100% certain you know who this talented is. Although her work is terrific, she was her best as Varuna. 

Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice - As much as I don't agree with Streep politically there is no denying her impeccable talent on the big screen. She's been in quite a few great movies, but her role as Sophie Zawistowski is her best ever. 

Cate Blanchett in The Aviator - Blanchett is one of the most accessible actresses alive and one thing I notice is she can take on almost any role. But out of the many roles, this was her best. Everything from the voice to the face to the style was Katherine Hepburn. 

Ginger Rogers in Kitty Foyle - Some of the greatest actresses not only tell a story, they make the story and Rogers clearly made the story as Kitty Foyle. Her acting in this film is just some of the greatest I have ever witnessed. 

Kathy Bates in Misery - It's evident that Annie Wilkies was an antagonist and a psychopath who was obsessed with Paul Sheldon and his story. Truth be told, this is probably some of the greatest acting I have ever observed by anyone. 

Shohreh Aghdashloo in House of Sand and Fog - The story alone reminds me of a friend of mine's story. To be honest, this movie is great, but had quite a few missing elements. In all honestly though, the role of Nadereh Behrani was so well executed, I felt lost in the film when watching it. Aghadashloo is one of my favorite actresses of all time. 

Charlize Theron in Monster - Let's face it, Theron is one of the few who really dips into character when she takes on these roles. And as scary as Aileen Wuornos is, Theron became her. It is very hard to become someone who is evil, but Theron pulled this character off 100%. 

Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones - When comes to embracing dramatis personae, Dandridge did just that when she took on the role of Carmen Jones. Not only was she brilliant, but she became Jones. 

Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex in the City - There are many good actresses, but not so many great and amazing ones. Parker proves she is one of the amazing ones. Carrie Bradshaw is more than just a character at this point, she is an iconic brand because of how she was portrayed and depicted. 

Julie Andrews in Sound of Music - Being a little child and watching this with my mother who loved this movie made me really appreciate the talent Andrews possessed. Maria Von Trapp made me love and appreciate not only music, but family too. 

Shabana Azmi in Arth - Bollywood produces over a thousand movies per year. Over twice as much as the movies in Hollywood. When I watched this movie for the first time, I literally could feel the passion Azmi delivered when she played Pooja. The execution of the character is why she is one of my favorite actresses of all time.

Queen Latifah in Bessie - When it comes to depicting the tragic life of blues crooner Bessie Smith, I don't think anyone could have done this role better justice than Queen Latifah. Not only did she look like her, talk like her, and act like her--Latifah became her. Definitely Latifah's best role. 

Maggie Smith in Travels With My Aunt - Have you ever turned on the television or just clicked a random movie on Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu and discovered not only a great movie, but even greater acting? This is what happened to me years ago when I was looking for a movie to watch. It was then, that I discovered how incredible of an actress Smith is. I've seen her in many things, but this is her best work by far.

Hu Die in Twin Sisters - When I was younger, I grew up watching a diversified genre of movies. My mother loved movies and of course I ended up following suit. This one of the movies I watched and it is a classic, as it came out over 20 years before my own mother was born.

Sissy Spacek in Carrie - Some of the scariest movies are suspense thrillers who involve diabolical characters. Carrie is one of those films. I think this movie has been remade almost 20 times. Separating fact from fiction, no one can and no one will ever touch Sissy Spacek's rendition of the character. 

I am sure I am forgetting someone, so just like the last post I made in conjunction with this one, I will update this if I forget someone because usually that is the case. I have to get to work. TGIF! 

Update 11/25/20: 

Viola Davis in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - The effort Viola Davis put into this role is astonishing. Truth be told, there is no one on earth who could have done this much justice to the role of Ma Rainey. As a fan of Ma Rainey, I loved Davis's interpretation. Davis was not only incredible in this movie, but she became Ma Rainey. 

Who are your favorite actresses of all time?

Comments

Billy Housh said…
Awww yeah! Julie Andrews is the G.O.A.T.

The only ones I would add to that list: Sophia Loren, Lucille Ball, Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet, and Jodie Foster.
Anonymous said…
My favorite actress is Audrey Hepburn.
Meryl Streep is also one of my faves - sheer, raw talent! I would add Diane Keaton and Julia Roberts as well :). Great post, and got me in the mood to watch a film!
Krysten said…
Heck yes to Kathy Bates in Misery, oh my gosh that movie is SO GOOD and she was SO GOOD! Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
hannah said…
Yes! I love Julie Andrews in Sound of Music, it is my FAVORITE! Ditto to adding Lucille Ball! I love remembering all these movies as I read through this post. It makes me want to have a long movie night.
Lisa said…
Oh wow, besides Sound of Music I don't think I know any other movie or actress, so interesting!
Seadbeady said…
Oh yes, Carrie that was a really scary movie although I wonder if I would still find it scary now :)
Tweenselmom said…
My favorite is Julie Andrews, she has a very sweet voice and I couldn't forget the first romantic film I've watched ever, the sound of music.
Anonymous said…
Glen Close is by far the best actress there is. No one can touch her. She's the best. I'm shocked she never won an academy award. She is better than all of them, imo.
Kuntala said…
Wow I am so happy you spoke about Nargis Dutt and Shabana Azmi.I am an Indian and I love them both. Well you have listed down some of the fabulous actors of Hollywood. Excellent
MadLynx said…
What a wonderful list of talented women. I like your taste and style. I think if I had to add a lady it would be Sophia Loren! ~The Virginia Nymph
Thea D. said…
These are some of my favorite actresses, also.
That's a great little list for sure, and those women have inspired generations of actresses to start their careers! Talk about talent!
Lavern Moore said…
Really happy to see that Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones made your favorite actress list
Laura said…
wow, so many amazing women. Thank you for sharing your favorite actresses. My favorite actress is Sophia Loren, she is talented and gorgeous x
I liked your favorite male artist blog post and I like this one as well. Jukie Andrews is amazing. Love her in the Sound of Music and in The Princess Diaries.
Merly Streep is one of my favorites too! Can't go wrong with her! I will have to check out some of these films I haven't seen.
So many amazingly talented women! Love everyone you have here on this list. A few others that come to mind are:
Amy Adams (she's incredible)
Frances McDormand (in many roles, but especially as Olive Kitteridge)
Emily Blunt
Saoirse Ronan
Julia Roberts
...and so many more!!